THE GOD'S OF CHOSEN WARRIOR

Revenge 1

Li Jie widened his eyes as he unwrapped the long cloth bundle, revealing a sword inside. "Isn't this my father's sword?"

"You’re right. Grandfather took it from your house after he learned that both of your parents had passed away. Now, go and finish what you must. After that, return here! There is something important I need to tell you before we part ways for good."

Li Jie fell silent upon hearing Song Rui’s words. He didn’t want to part with the old man, but there must be something crucial his teacher wanted to tell him, something that made their separation necessary.

"Meet Mo Yan when you reach the village. He will tell you who framed your parents."

"But, Grandfather… won’t he report my presence to the villagers?"

"Why should you be afraid? Haven't you honed your skills by now? Just tell Qian Li that I sent you to see him," Song Rui replied.

Li Jie nodded. Then, he stepped out of the small hut and ran toward the village.

By the time night had replaced day, Li Jie had arrived at the village and moved stealthily toward Mo Yan’s house. It didn’t take long for him to reach the elder’s home.

He knocked on the door gently. A moment later, the door swung open, revealing an old man standing in the doorway.

"Come in! I have been expecting you," the old man said.

Li Jie frowned slightly before stepping inside. He was puzzled. How could the elder have been expecting him when they had never spoken before?

"Sit down," the old man said after closing the door.

"How did you know I was coming? We’ve never even—" Before Li Jie could finish his sentence, Mo Yan interrupted him.

"I know what you’re wondering, Li Jie. Elder Song Rui told me everything the other day while you were meditating. He spoke a lot about you and your parents. And I actually knew your parents quite well—especially your father. Though they were outsiders to this village, I learned their true identities thanks to Elder Song Rui."

"So my parents were outsiders?"

Mo Yan nodded, his sharp gaze locking onto Li Jie, who seemed bewildered by his words.

"Then where did my parents come from?"

"It is difficult for me to say, Li Jie. It would be best if Elder Song Rui told you himself. He is the one who has the right to reveal your true identity to you."

"Could it be that my true identity is what Grandfather Song Rui wanted to tell me?" Li Jie wondered. But he quickly pushed the thought aside. His purpose in returning to this village was to clear his parents’ names—and to punish those who had framed them. He didn’t care who he truly was. After all, he was nothing more than the son of a poor couple, or so he thought.

"Grandfather Song Rui told me that you know who framed my parents. Please, tell me who the culprit is, Grandfather."

Mo Yan gave the young man a warm smile. "Once you know, what will you do?"

"First, I will clear my parents’ names. Then, I will punish those responsible for their deaths!" Li Jie replied, his voice filled with anger.

"Are you certain that your abilities are strong enough?"

"The world has shaped me into someone who refuses to be weak, Grandfather. Even if I meet the same fate as my parents, I will not regret it."

"Very well..." Mo Yan let out a long sigh.

"Do you know the merchant Qian Li?"

Li Jie raised his eyebrows as if deep in thought. After a moment, he nodded slowly. "Is he the one who framed my parents?"

"He wasn’t the mastermind, but Qian Li played a major role in your parents being framed by the village chief, Cheng Xi," Mo Yan explained.

"Wait, Grandfather... What was the connection between Qian Li and Chief Cheng Xi?" Li Jie asked, even more confused.

"Here’s the story, Li Jie. Before your parents died, a series of thefts plagued this village. The final incident was a burglary at the village chief’s house. In response, he ordered every home in the village to be searched for a golden statue." Mo Yan paused, taking a deep breath before continuing.

"After searching all the houses, they found the stolen statue buried behind your house."

Li Jie was utterly shocked, his mouth hanging open in disbelief.

"I know it’s hard to believe. I couldn’t believe it either. After your parents were executed by the villagers, I sent someone I trust to uncover the truth."

"And what did they find, Grandfather?" Li Jie asked impatiently.

"After several days of investigation, my trusted informant brought back shocking news. Your parents were framed by Chief Qian Li. It turns out he was the mastermind behind all the thefts."

Li Jie clenched his fists tightly. He couldn’t accept this terrible truth. "Then what role did Qian Li play, Grandfather?"

"Pratama was infatuated with your mother, Li Jie. He wanted to take her as one of his wives and demanded she divorce your father. But she refused outright, which enraged Qian Li. Since he was close friends with Chief Cheng Xi, he asked his friend to teach your parents a lesson. And that’s how it all happened."

"They must pay for my parents' deaths!" Li Jie stood abruptly, but Mo Yan quickly stopped him.

"Don’t let your emotions control you, Li Jie. You cannot pass judgment without solid evidence. Stay here until tomorrow! I will summon my informant to tell you where he got his information. His name is Liao Xiu."

Li Jie sat back down, remembering Song Rui’s advice about not letting emotions dictate his decisions.

"I’m sorry, Grandfather. I let my anger take over," he said, lowering his head.

Mo Yan disappeared into the house for a moment before returning with a young woman carrying a tray of food.

"Li Jie, this is my granddaughter, Mei Lian."

Li Jie looked at the beautiful young woman and smiled before lowering his head again.

Mei Lian seemed flustered by Li Jie’s smile.

"Now, eat first. Then rest in the room Mei Lian will prepare for you."

Li Jie nodded and ate eagerly. He suddenly realized that he hadn't had a proper meal in a week since meditating in the tree.

The next morning, a middle-aged man entered the house with Mei Lian. Li Jie and Mo Yan, who were talking in the living room, greeted them with smiles.

The man named Pan Wen then sat on a chair, while Mo Yan walked inside, stealing a glance at Li Jie. Their eyes met, and her cheeks turned red with embarrassment.

"Li Jie, this is the man I sent to uncover the truth about the accusations against your parents," Mo Yan said.

Li Jie nodded in greeting. The three of them then engaged in a long discussion about the plan Li Jie should follow.

Some time later, Li Jie and Pan Wen left Mo Yan’s house. Li Jie wore a bamboo hat to conceal his face. Their destination was the home of a man named Zou Fei, who had once worked for Chief Cheng Xi. Zou Fei also happened to be Pan Wen’s cousin, making it easier for Pan Wen to extract information from him.

Along the way, Li Jie kept his head down to avoid being recognized by the villagers.

Before long, they arrived at their destination. A man about Pan Wen’s age welcomed them inside.

After Pan Wen introduced Li Jie to Zou Fei, he urged his cousin to share what he had overheard when Qian Li and Chief Cheng Xi conspired to frame Li Jie’s parents.

Upon hearing Zou Fei’s story, Li Jie made up his mind to go to Qian Li’s house first. He planned to take down the wealthy merchant before anyone else, as Qian Li was the root of the problem.

The three of them left Zou Fei’s house and walked toward Qian Li’s residence, which was not far away.

It didn’t take long for them to reach the large, luxurious house—at least by the village’s standards.

Four fierce-looking guards stood at the entrance, their swords hanging at their waists, ready for action. Their sharp eyes locked onto the group as Pan Wen asked about Qian Li’s whereabouts.

"What business do you have with Master Qian Li?!" one of the guards barked.

"He has something to answer for!" Li Jie replied sharply, removing his bamboo hat. He was done wasting time.

"You…! Aren’t you the son of that thief?" The guard seemed to recognize Li Jie.

"Watch your mouth if you value your life! My parents were not thieves!" Li Jie snapped, his voice loud en

ough to be heard by Qian Li inside the house.

The middle-aged man hurriedly stepped outside to see what was happening.